The executives of the Beasts Pirates stood paralyzed atop the dragon's back, staring out at the hellish landscape of the subterranean lava sea. Even with the chilling air emanating from Kaido's body to shield them, the raw, primordial power of the world before them was suffocating. This was an environment where life was never meant to exist. As far as they could see, the cavern was a chaotic symphony of fiery red; the molten rock churned like a hungry beast, emitting a guttural gurgling sound that threatened to swallow everything. The crimson light reflecting off the flowing magma was so intense it made it painful even to keep their eyes open. This was no longer Wano; it was the underworld.
Kaido remained indifferent to their shock. Under their terrified gazes, he descended toward the boiling surface. The moment his massive dragon claws touched the liquid fire, the lava beneath him froze solid. The executives' fear instantly turned to roaring excitement.
"Lord Kaido is incredible!"
"He can even freeze the magma itself!"
"As expected of our Father!"
Kaido ignored the praise, his voice booming through the cavern. "Save the flattery for later. Everyone, get down here now!"
Though their hearts pounded with panic, their absolute trust in Kaido won out. One by one, they jumped onto the newly formed island of black glass. Kaido then plunged his massive body into the surrounding lava, coiling his dragon form into a protective ring around his crew. He raised his head toward the young girl standing among them.
"Lily, create the space," Kaido commanded.
"Yes, Master," Lily replied. "Space-Time Freeze!" A shimmering, triangular white barrier expanded, enveloping the group in a controlled pocket of reality.
With the stage set, Kaido addressed his elite forces. "This volcano is your new training ground. My request is simple: I will gradually withdraw the protection I am providing. The day you can withstand this heat using only your own strength is the day you graduate."
He looked at the group, singling out two individuals. "Queen and Maria, you are exempt. You have your own responsibilities to manage, so I won't force you to remain here. But Jack, Enel, Ulti, Who's-Who, Sasaki, and Page One—you will be staying here for a long time."
Queen exhaled a massive sigh of relief, his face sagging with gratitude. Jack and the others, however, looked visibly shaken.
"Now, feel it for yourselves," Kaido said. He reduced his cooling aura by 10%.
Instantly, the temperature within the barrier spiked. A stinging, burning pain radiated through their bodies, as if their very skin was beginning to ignite.
"It's too hot!"
"It feels like I'm on fire!"
"Use your Armament Haki," Kaido instructed. "It is the only thing that can shield you from this heat."
They immediately activated their Haki. While it offered some protection, the relief was minimal. Among them, only King, Queen, Jack, Who's-Who, and Ulti had mastered the advanced form of Haki known as Ryou, allowing them to flow their energy as a perfect shield around their bodies. Enel, Sasaki, and Page One struggled, as their basic Haki coating could not fully repel the pervasive, baking temperature.
"You possess Haki, but your control is still amateur," Kaido said coldly. "You all have immense potential, but to stand against the Admirals of the Marines, you must be pushed. This environment will force that potential out of you."
Enel and the younger members, Ulti and Page One, looked eager despite the pain, but the more experienced fighters like Who's-Who and Sasaki looked hesitant. They knew the true, world-class power of the Marine Admirals.
"Lord Kaido... is it truly possible for us to reach that level?" Who's-Who asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Worororo! Of course it is," Kaido laughed, the sound echoing like thunder. "Because I am about to teach you the highest secret of the Beasts Pirates!"
The executives were stunned. They had assumed the Pluton blueprints were the crew's greatest secret. Could there be something even more powerful? Queen looked toward King, and seeing the lead commander's stoic expression, he realized Kaido was entirely serious.
"What is it, Big Brother?" Queen asked, leaning in.
"Don't get your hopes up for a new gadget, Queen. This isn't technology—it's a method of cultivation. King and I have spent years refining it, and we have confirmed it is a martial art capable of shattering biological limits."
"Biological limits?" Who's-Who whispered.
"The world is inherently unfair," Kaido explained. "I was born with power. Others can train their whole lives and never reach legendary status because their bodies have a 'ceiling'—a maximum height determined at birth. This cultivation method allows you to break that ceiling and surpass your own boundaries."
He scanned their shocked faces. "The luckiest part is that we are in the most suitable place on earth to practice this art. Don't ask why; just follow my lead. I won't micromanage you, as everyone's path is different. However, follow two rules: Focus entirely on the method I teach, and do not waste Haki. Use only what is necessary to survive the heat. Haki is your internal energy; treat it as your lifeblood."
Kaido then turned to Lily. "Lily, you may learn as well, though I am unsure if your unique physique can adapt to this power."
Lily's eyes lit up with a rare spark of life.
"Lily is a Time-Time Fruit user," Kaido explained to the others. "Within this space, time flows at one-tenth the speed of the outside world. One night here is the equivalent of ten nights of training elsewhere. I won't push you until you break; when your bodies can no longer endure, I will send you back to rest. Now, I have set the stage. Let's see how many surprises you can give me."
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